Vacuum cleaner



June 19, 1928. 7 1,674,254

- W; L. LI NDGREN mm cmmnn Filed Dec. 20. 1924 Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALDEMAR I. LINDGREN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ALFRED A. NORTON,

TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM CLEANER.

Application filed December 20, 1924. Serial No. 757,138.

My invention is concerned with vacuum cleaners, such as are used for sweeping or cleaning carpets, etc., and is designed to combine a rotating brush with a vacuum-producing device in such a manner that the brush will function more efficiently than has heretofore been possible. v

To this end I provide a rotating brush, adapted to contact with the floor, and mount the same in what is in effect a large suction nozzle, connected with any of the customary means for producing a vacuum, and collecting the dust and dirt lifted from the floors by such vacuum.

It is furthermore concerned with such a rotating brush mounted in its own suction nozzle, combined with another and smaller suction nozzle of the ordinary type, and connected with a common means for producing a vacuum, so that the vacuum effected is properly proportioned between the two nozzles so that the degree of the vacuum in the smaller nozzle will be greater than in the larger one containing the brush. i

To illustrate my invention, I annex hereto a sheet of drawings in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical arts in all the figures, of which,

1g. 1 is a side elevation, partly in central longitudinal section, showing a vacuum cleaner embodying my invention; and

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of a portion of the same.

In illustrating my invention, I have shown it as applied to a type vacuum cleaner in which the fan casing 10 is supported by a pair of main wheels 11 at the rear, and a pair of brush wheels 12 toward the front, and the fan casing has connected with the discharge outlet thereof the bag 13 in which the dirt is collected. A handle 14 is provided and connected to the frame so that the cleaner can be propelled in use. Journaled in the fan casing 10 is a suction fan 15, which may be rotated in any suitable manner, as by an electric motor, or by suitable gearing interposed between the wheels 11 and the fan 15, for instance, as shown in my Patent No. 1,458,714, dated June 12, 1923.

The novelty of my invention resides in the construction of the nozzle portion 16, which may be said to consist of a pair of flaring channels 17 and 18, leading from the eye 19 of the fan casing, each of said channels preferably having about the same area where they open into the eye of the fan casing. The lower flaring channel terminates in the nozzle 20, which is several times larger in its area than the nozzle 21, in which the channel 17 terminates, and as a consequence, the suction through the nozzle 21 will, per square inch of area, be much stronger than through the nozzle 20. The nozzle 21 is preferablynarrow throughout its entire length, whereas the nozzle 20 has at its ends a widened portion 22 in which are mounted the bearingbrackets 23 for the brush Wheels 12. J ournaled in this bracket is the brush shaft 2%, the bristles 25 of which are of a length so that they strike the front wall of the nozzle 20 in their upward movement, to dislodge therefrom particles picked up from the carpet, and also contact with the rear wall in their downward movement if by any chance particles picked up from the carpet are not removed during the upward portion of their rotation. It will of course be understood that the strong upward draft through the nozzle 20 will carry to the fan casing any materials picked up by the brush and knocked oil by the contact of the bristles with the walls of the nozzle. The ground wheels 12 will have suitable gearing between them and the brush shaft 24, such, for instance, as is shown in my aforesaid patent, whereby as the apparatus is advanced over the carpet the brush shaft will be rotated anti-clockwise and vice versa.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily apparent. As it is propelled over the carpet, the nozzle 21 with its strong draft will pick up such loose particles as it can,-

and thereafter the brushbristles 25 contacting with the carpet will pick up and loosen up other particles not afiected by the nozzle 21, which said other particles will be carried through the channels 18 to the fan casing in a manner which will be understood.

' While I have shown and described my inand adapted to be rotated therein, the edge of the opening of the nozzle toward which the bristles move immediately after contacting with the surface to be cleaned being out of the path of the tips of the'bristles while a portion of the inner walls of thenozzle are within said path and are necessarily contacted by said tips after they are well within the nozzle so as to knock loose particles carried by said tips off only after they are well within the draft through thenozzle.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination with a suction nozzle, of a brush mounted and adapted to be rotated therein, the edge of the opening of the nozzle toward which the bristles move immediately after contacting with the surface to; be cleaned being out of the path of the tips of the bristles while both the front and rear Walls of the nozzle at the level of the axis of the brush are within said path and are necessarily contacted by said tips after they are well within the nozzle so as to knock loose particles carried by said tips off only after they are well within the draft through the nozzle.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination with a nozzle, of a brush mounted therein, a much smaller nozzle, a suction fan casing and a fan adapted to be rotated therein, and separate passages leading from the two nozzles entirely to the eye of the fan casing thecross-sectional area of the eye end of the smaller nozzle passage relative to the cross-sectional area of its other end being greater than the cross-sectional area of the 4. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination with a nozzle, of a brush mounted therein, a much smaller nozzle adjacent the first-mentioned nozzle, a suction fan casing and a fan adapted to be rotated therein, and separate parallel passages separated throughout their length by a common side member, said side member extending entirely to the eye of the fan casing, the cross-sectional area of the eye end of the smaller nozzle passage relative to the cross-sectional area of its other end being greater than the cross-sectional area of the eye end of the other nozzle passage relative to the cross-sectional area of its other end, so that the degree of suction per unit area in the smaller nozzle is greater than in the larger nozzle.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of November, 1924.

WALDEMAR L. LINDGREN. 

